A man accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of Lego sets from Target stores across Texas is now in custody after police say they tracked him down following a recent theft in Watauga. Authorities have identified the suspect as 28-year-old Winston Love, who was arrested Friday after allegedly shoplifting from a Target store and fleeing the scene. His arrest ended what police say was a two-month-long string of retail thefts across at least 14 cities.
According to the Watauga Police Department, Love is suspected of hitting 23 different Target locations in cities like Dallas, Irving, Plano, Fort Worth, Frisco, and several others, focusing mainly on stealing Lego merchandise. The estimated total value of the stolen goods is over $37,000.
Officials said Love is also allegedly linked to a broader organized retail theft ring operating across both Texas and Oklahoma. These groups often focus on high-demand items like Lego products because they’re easy to resell online and typically hold their value. Law enforcement said the method used in these thefts was bold. In most cases, Love reportedly entered the store, picked out specific Lego sets, loaded them into a cart or carried them under his arms, and simply walked out without paying.
“It’s incredibly brazen,” Watauga Police Chief Jim Lewis told FOX 4. “When you watch the video of the individual committing these crimes, he truly goes shopping through the store. This individual specifically targets Lego products. He just walks right out the door, in complete defiance of anybody who might try to stop him.”
Suspect steals from nearly two dozen Target stores — supposedly just for Legos
https://t.co/lsrzEoLXeuWinston Love suspected of being part of organized retail theft ring spanning Texas and Oklahoma.
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Love was arrested on Friday after police responded to a shoplifting call at a Watauga Target. He had allegedly stolen around $1,200 worth of merchandise before fleeing. Officers were able to locate him shortly after, and after a short standoff, he surrendered without incident.
Following his arrest, Watauga police obtained a search warrant and returned the next day to search the same residence. That search reportedly turned up more stolen property, narcotics, one vehicle, and approximately $5,000 in cash. Authorities also discovered Love had eight outstanding warrants, including multiple felony warrants for theft-related charges across Tarrant, Dallas, and Rockwall Counties.
Police believe this case is just one piece of a larger retail theft operation that may still be active. Organized theft rings like these have become a growing concern for businesses across the country, as stolen goods are often sold online through third-party platforms, making it harder to trace the origin of the items.
Love has been charged with state jail felony theft and is currently being held at the North Richland Hills Detention Center. Additional charges could follow depending on the results of ongoing investigations in other jurisdictions.
“This case highlights the excellent work and collaboration between our officers and regional law enforcement partners,” Chief Lewis said in a statement. “Their swift actions and thorough investigation not only led to the arrest of a serial offender but also to the recovery of stolen property. Retail thefts impact everyone in our community, and the Watauga Police Department remains committed to protecting both people and property to ensure our city stays a safe place to live, work, and play.”
As of now, Target has not released a public statement regarding the thefts or how it plans to handle similar incidents in the future.
